iPads in County Fire
By Jeff Birchfield
Many of us may have never imagined seeing a tablet such as an iPad in our fire engine or ambulance ; yet that day has come . Last year a presentation was given at a meeting I attend regularly with the FIRESCOPE Emerging Information Technology Specialist Group . A fellow firefighter presented a solution toward more efficient field operations via technology that most of us already use in our personal lives . The solution was an iPad as a mobile data computer ( MDC )– except what was proposed included a more varied use of the device , beyond our current utilization as a mere dispatch info / status update terminal .
Photo : James Quigg Vv Daily Press
The vision is for our firefighters to have the data necessary to perform their jobs safely and efficiently , and there are many advantages to moving forward with the use of ads to halt achieve this . To start , just about everyone in our population knows how to use one , and those who do not will normally find it an easy device to learn . This equates to minimal time needed to train personnel on the use of the device . Another advantage is that we could incorporate an iPad into apparatus at one-third of the cost of the current standard MDC . The iPad allows our personnel to use an application called Tablet Command , which receives CAD data and provides the crew an instant map location of the incident — complete with CAD notes . It maps the unit to the call through use of Google or Apple maps , and provides satellite views if chosen .
On scene , Tablet Command becomes a tactical e-worksheet , allowing an incident commander to track units and maintain accountability without the risk of erasure or paper blowing away in the wind . The application allows the incident commander to document notes and receive spot weather forecasts within seconds . All of this data can then be emailed to the incident commander or others , and the tactical worksheet data can be recorded . There is also a real time sync feature that allows units enroute or chief officers at other locations to view the incident tactical worksheet .
The iPads are centrally controlled by a Mobile Data Manager ( MDM ), and applications can be added or deleted through this central point . There are many other applications available , including weather , navigation , Haz-Mat , USAR , wildland firefighting , CHP CAD and others . An individual can also check email or the staffing roster , and on campaign incidents can remove the device to take notes at briefing and scan QR codes in order to download the incident maps . The mapping can be used with or without an internet connection and still track the device on the map . The possibilities are endless , and these devices will keep pace with changing technology for quite a few years . They are also affordably replaceable .
Currently , Division 2 has full implementation of iPads on all apparatus . At the time of this writing , Divisions 4 and 5 , as well as all chief officers , have iPads ordered and are in process of implementation . The plan for Divisions 1 and 3 , which currently have the original MDC platform , is to replace those with iPad devices early next fiscal year . We also are proceeding with implementation into our Special Operations Division .
My opinion is that we will see an iPad used as an ePCR in the very near future as well . It is also my vision that each member be issued an iPad in the same manner as their safety gear . The future includes adding our operations directives and field operation guides as e-books . I believe you will see cadet firefighters in their tower issued a device in the tower that will contain all needed study materials , an idea already adopted by other organizations across the state .
Spring 2016 • FIREWIRE 21